Yin Chen started thinking.
He was contemplating something important.
Namely: should he go out for drinks, or trick Zong Cheng into coming home instead?
Since the year-end party ended, he had been pondering this for a full five minutes.
Yet, he still had no clue.
Sigh.
This decision was surprisingly difficult.
Meanwhile, Zong Cheng’s phone suddenly rang.
Tang Chen?
He paused, then greeted Yin Chen.
“I’ll take this call.”
Yin Chen nodded calmly, though he didn’t actually catch a word.
“What happened? Trouble again?”
As soon as Zong Cheng spoke, Tang Chen froze.
Really? Every time he calls, it’s trouble?
Alright. He had originally intended to get straight to the point.
But now? Not being sarcastic just wouldn’t do!
Internally, he huffed and forced a calm tone:
“Zong Ge, how was your company’s year-end party tonight? Finished already? Want to go grab dinner together?”
Perfect!
Classic passive-aggressive sarcasm!
Zong Cheng paused for a split second. Then, expression unchanged:
“Same as always, nothing different. Forget dinner.”
Ha!
This time, he wouldn’t be caught!
Tang Chen’s smile turned sly.
“Oh? Really? Then why did I hear you didn’t attend the year-end party this time?”
…
Little brat.
Zong Cheng immediately realized. He pressed his voice low, full of intimidation:
“Say what you want, but measure your words. If something happens, who cleans up after you?”
Hmph!
He’s not a troublemaker—how could he have issues every day?
Firm in mind, but Tang Chen flinched.
“I’m just… concerned! How come you went with Mr. Yin to the party? And livestreamed games together? Aren’t you worried about being exposed?”
He nearly freaked out when he saw it!
Who would believe it if he told them?
“Exposed what?”
Zong Cheng asked.
“Of course… your identity! People online are saying you and Mr. Yin are a couple!”
So… you two really are?
Zong Ge, are you taken?
Tang Chen scratched his head, unable to voice the last two sentences.
Joking! Asking felt too risky!
He still wanted to survive!
“I and Yin Chen?”
Zong Cheng was slightly stunned, confused.
“Why?”
What? Really? You’re asking why?
Tang Chen blinked repeatedly.
“Zong Ge… your couple ID… you know what that implies, right?”
Zong Cheng frowned.
“That wasn’t a couple name.”
It was just that Yin Chen had picked it, and he happened to have a rename card.
“Not?”
Tang Chen froze.
Wait… if not, then why did Zong Ge go to the party with Yin Chen?
Wasn’t that supposed to signal public ownership?
He thought again, a chill running through him.
“Zong Ge, did you check Weibo trending?”
He didn’t have time.
Zong Cheng shook his head.
“No, why?”
“…Well… you and Yin Chen are officially the canon pairing now! You even have a super-topic for your CP!”
At this point, Tang Chen was internally screaming.
So in this situation, marriage almost seemed inevitable!
And yet… Zong Ge claims that name wasn’t a couple name?
Then why did he attend Yin Corporation’s year-end party?
And let Mr. Yin press against his chest muscles?
Ugh! That was a dream for a small otome fan like him!
Zong Cheng froze.
Super-topic? Canon CP?
Tang Chen felt like he was reading divine scripture.
Waiting a while, seeing no reaction from Zong Ge, Tang Chen began to suspect:
Had he overthought this?
Zong Ge really… had nothing going on with Yin Chen?
So Zong Ge was still single?
Tang Chen’s mind raced—but then Zong Cheng spoke:
“Enough. He called me; I’ll drive him home.”
And abruptly hung up.
Huh?
What? You just took a call and hung up?
Tang Chen, still trying to convince himself Zong Ge was single and innocent with Yin Chen, froze again.
After a long while, he mentally collapsed.
No!
Zong Ge, why are you bouncing around like this?
So… single or not?
He held the disconnected phone, thinking.
Suddenly, Tang Chen jolted!
Wait!
Ugh! The important part!
That flashy outfit Zong Ge wore… what was that about?!
“Where to?”
Zong Cheng opened the car door efficiently, but paused mid-sentence.
Yin Chen wasn’t in his usual back seat, but in the passenger seat.
Yin Chen… in the passenger seat?
Zong Cheng got in slowly, still a bit dazed.
“Home.”
Yin Chen smiled slightly and casually turned off his phone screen.
Something had just occurred to him.
A little… off.
Zong Cheng drove, palms slightly sweaty.
He appeared focused on the road, but his mind was entirely on Yin Chen in the passenger seat.
Why?
Why was Yin Chen sitting there today?
He normally sat in the back. Too strange.
Don’t think about it, Zong Cheng.
He told himself.
Maybe Yin Chen just felt like sitting up front today?
Does it really matter?
It’s the same! Wake up!
…
Still, something felt off.
Zong Cheng’s hands clutched the wheel, eyes glancing sideways.
Yin Chen’s profile looked even more handsome.
A glance, and Zong Cheng immediately recoiled like he’d been electrocuted.
Sensing the occasional gaze cast his way, Yin Chen looked calm, but inside he was grinning.
This is too cute!
Zong Cheng… sneaking glances?
That timid?
A small smile tugged at Yin Chen’s lips. A thought came to him.
He suddenly spoke.
“I just realized… your company’s party was tonight too? Sorry, having you come with me just to play games… isn’t that a little unfair?”
!
Zong Cheng pressed his lips.
How did Yin Chen know?
He opened his mouth to say something nice, but only a few words came out:
“They’re used to it.”
“Achoo—!”
A huge sneeze. Assistant Zhong froze.
He had just helped the boss handle the year-end party… but now, seeing this trending with Mr. Yin… had they flaked their own company’s event?
What kind of boss would skip their company’s party for someone else?
“Used to it,” really?
Yin Chen’s smile was unstoppable, tone cheerful.
“Is that so? Then that’s good.”
“…Mm.”
Zong Cheng murmured in response.
Silence filled the car again.
But only Zong Cheng’s heart felt restless.
A little anxious.
Somehow, he had the sense that something unexpected might happen tonight.
Back at the villa, Yin Chen stretched lazily after stepping out of the car.
“I’ll change my clothes. Want to join? I had a few pajamas sent over for you.”
Pajamas.
Zong Cheng froze mid-step.
“…You go first. I’m fine as I am.”
“Really?”
Yin Chen glanced at him, nodded. “Alright, I’ll go change.”
He left without hesitation, leaving Zong Cheng standing in the villa hall, conflicted.
Still… something was off.
Zong Cheng couldn’t shake the feeling. Nothing seemed unusual, yet…
After a while, he began to feel warm.
Grabbing his scarf to remove it, he paused as his fingers grazed his chest muscles.
He glanced down at his deep V-neck, silent for two seconds.
Taking off the scarf… how was this different from… mischief?
The mental image of Yin Chen pressed against his chest muscles immediately flashed.
“Ha…”
Breathing grew rapid; Zong Cheng’s fingers froze before slowly relaxing.
Fine. Forget it.
He didn’t even know why he was embarrassed—he’d just let it be for now.
Yin Chen returned in new clothes to see Zong Cheng sitting rigidly on the sofa like a rock.
Previously, he wouldn’t have noticed anything odd about this posture.
Now?
Yin Chen scanned Zong Cheng’s tight muscles and shoulders, the jacket barely hiding the tension—nominally calm, actually anxious.
He reflected for a second.
Zong Cheng was this tense?
So provoking him further… might be unwise?
One second of doubt, then Yin Chen calmly approached.
“I’m ready. Let’s go. The chefs from before prepared food to send over. Want to grab a drink together?”
“Okay…”
Zong Cheng responded, turning around, eyes fixed firmly on Yin Chen.
Body stiff, breath rapid, ears flushed.
The man in front remained stunning, hair slightly messy from changing—softening his usual strict look.
Very attractive—he knew that already.
Yet…
His gaze slowly drifted down to the familiar sweater Yin Chen was wearing.
Zong Cheng felt suffocated, yet strangely… indescribably… stirred.
This sweater… he hadn’t expected Yin Chen to wear it again.
After all, he’d worn it before.
His mind scattered; Zong Cheng moved in sync without thinking.
Eyes dazed, just following Yin Chen’s movements.
Satisfied, Yin Chen calmly fed him snacks and poured drinks.
One cup. Two cups. Three cups.
Just three cups, and Zong Cheng’s eyes began to glaze.
Yin Chen was a bit surprised.
Wasn’t Zong Cheng usually a heavy drinker?
This was only three cups.
Thinking it over, Yin Chen offered a piece of stinky tofu.
“Want a bite?”
Obediently, Zong Cheng opened his mouth and ate.
Good.
Yin Chen nodded, pleased with the result.
He stood, fetched a jacket, approaching Zong Cheng with a sly tone.
“Zong Cheng, check out this jacket. Do you know whose it is?”
Panic and clarity flashed in Zong Cheng’s eyes; his already red ears heated even more.
He struggled, hoarsely saying:
“It… is mine.”